A teenager is dead after a shooting Thursday afternoon at a home in DeKalb County, police said.
Officers were called to the 4800 block of Glenwood Road regarding a “young teen” shot at least once, DeKalb police spokesperson Blaine Clark said. The area is just outside of I-285 and off Covington Highway.
The medical examiner’s office on Friday identified the boy as Derron Woody, 13.
“Despite his bright future, Derron’s life was senselessly cut short by an act of violence,” a GoFundMe campaign started by Ron Woody to amass funds for the teen’s funeral stated.
Derron was taken to a hospital with critical injuries at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, police said. About four hours later, Clark told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he had died.
Derrick Woody told Channel 2 Action News that his son was found on the front steps of their home.
“It’s just, you know, hard to think about it right now. I loved my son,” Derrick Woody told the news station.
He was a former student at DeKalb Alternative School, a district spokesman confirmed. A crisis intervention team is available to provide grief counseling for students and staff, Principal Terrence Harvey said in a letter to parents.
“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the sudden passing of Derron Woody, one of our former students,” Harvey said in the letter, provided to the AJC by the district. “The entire DeKalb Alternative School family extends our heartfelt sympathy to Derron’s family, friends and relatives.”
Clark said investigators believe the suspect and victim knew each other, but did not provide more information about their relationship. Clark confirmed investigators were speaking to a person of interest.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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